2004 Ford Explorer Sport Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 22%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,288miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport, 22% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,288 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have a 2004 Ford explorer v8 sport. We have had two major transmission problems and now we have a shaking in the front end after the latest repair to the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10169810, filed 2006-10, 15,000 miles“Started in 7/2007 had vibrations in drive train, Ford stated it was the drive shaft. Ford replaced the drive shaft with a high-performance balanced one. Vibration stopped. In 10/2007 the explorer was slipping during acceleration, and slamming into gear. Overdrive light would be blinking on and off. This time they had said that they had to rebuild the transmission due to a bad oriface. Later I found out they only replaced the valve body at 24072 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10397728, filed 2011-04, 20,577 miles“2004 Ford explorer. Transmission shifts roughly into reverse and third gear. Car was put into reverse in june, 2004 and did not move until a few seconds later, and then lunged backwards, hitting my wife and breaking her arm. Still shifts roughly to this day.”
NHTSA complaint #10173542, filed 2006-11, 30,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport
11 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology